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So, you want to be a leader; not only a leader, but a great one at that? Then you need to fully understand that you are “ACCOUNTABLE” for everything. Being accountable not only means being responsible for something, but ultimately being answerable for your actions and the actions of your team. .
Some people might be thinking, “Hold on there. You want me to be accountable for the actions, results, mistakes, and consequences of somebody else?” Absolutely! That is why holding a leadership position is not for the meek and timid. Accountability is what happens after a situation has occurred. It is how you respond and take ownership over the results. Even during the most uncertain times, true leaders hold themselves accountable for ALL results.
If you don’t want to be ACCOUNTABLE, please don’t apply for a leadership position. Accountability is not an option for a leader, it is a requirement. The Boss/Manager/Supervisor is accountable for EVERYTHING. Here are two of my favorite quotes on accountability.
“It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.” – John Baptiste Moliere
“You don’t have the right to hold somebody accountable for standards you refuse to apply yourself.” – Stephen A. Smith
Here is a simple acrostic I put together with some other traits that go along with being an accountable leader:
If you are taking the leadership position because you think it now gives you the POWER, Supremacy, and Authority over people, please don’t apply; it’s a servant position. You are there to help others succeed; it isn’t about you, it’s about them. Great leaders never look for fame, accolades or awards; they dwell on accomplishments and the rest follows. You will know you are a leader when you start making the people around you BETTER, so be accountable to them.
GREAT LEADERS understand if they want to help make their team more accountable …“Do as I do” is a lot more powerful than “do as I say.”